Signaling and control apparatus slidably and swingably mounted on a supporting cabinet

ABSTRACT

A signaling and control apparatus mounted on a computer cabinet or the like for displaying visual signaling elements thereon in a plurality of directions, wherein a housing structure provided on one face with visual signaling elements is slidably supported on a pair of shutters, and wherein, in addition to a normal position where said face is visible from the front side, the housing structure can slide onto either of said shutters and turn thereon in such a manner that said face is visible from one side or from the opposite side of said cabinet.

United States Patent Jammaud 451 July 4,1972

[541 SIGNALING AND CONTROL APPARATUS SLIDABLY AND SWINGABLY MOUNTED ON A SUPPORTING CABINET [72] Inventor:

[73] Assignee:

Andre Jammaud, Neuilly, Marne, France Societe Industrielle Honeywell Bull Societe Anonyme, Paris, France [22] Filed: March 10,1971

[21] Appl.No.: 122,715

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data March 20, 1970 France ..7010l37 [52] U.S.Cl ..3l7/l01 CB, 317/101 DH, 317/1 18, 317/120 [51] Int. Cl. ..H02b1/06 [58] Field ofSearch ..317/99, 101 CB, 10] DH, 118, 317 120 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,566,064 8/1951 Keim ..317/101 CB 2,857,558 10/1958 Fiske ..3l7/10l CB 2,888,308 5/1959 Devine et al.. .317/101 CB X 2,895,087 7/1959 Lieb et al...... ..317/10l CB 2,994,807 8/1961 Devine et a1.. ..3l7/99 3,320,488 5/1967 Karew et al.. .....3l7/101 DH 3,340,441 9/1967 Probert ..317/120 3,376,086 4/1968 Fisher ..3l7/120 X Primary Examiner-Lewis Myers Assistant Examiner-Stanley J. Witkowski Attorney-Ronald T. Reiling, Fred Jacob and Lewis P. Elbinger [57] ABSTRACT A signaling and control apparatus mounted on a computer cabinet or the like for displaying visual signaling elements thereon in a plurality of directions, wherein a housing structure provided on one face with visual signaling elements is slidably supported on a pair of shutters, and wherein, in addition to a normal position where said face is visible from the front side, the housing structure can slide onto either of said shutters and turn thereon in such a manner that said face is visible from one side or from the opposite side of said cabinet.

14 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUL 41922 sum 1 or 6 INVENTOR AML; jmma ATTORNEY P'A'TENTEDJUL 41912 SHEET 2 OF 6 55 I 2. mm,

INVENTOR Mix IO-m WA m aw Q Ms Z: m w 3 3% ATTORNEY PATENTEDJUL 4 I972 SHEET 3 BF 6 INVENTOR JOJVHKOJAA ATTORNEY PATENTEDJUL 4 I972 SHEET '4 OF 6 INVE NTOR I 10-WM BY A ATTORNEY P'ATENTEDJUL 41912 3,675,084

sum sor 6 INVENTOR u il FNMA ATTORNEY PATENTEDJUL 4 m2 3, 675,084 sum 6 or e R INVENTOR M; immx BY I ATTORN EY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Electrical machines are known, such as computers, which have signaling and control apparatus enclosed in a housing whose front panel includes, for example, illuminated pushbuttons intended for controlling such machines in normal operation, switches etc., and signal lights utilized primarily during a repair or maintenance operation because they correspond to certain circuits of such machines and indicate their operational status.

Such a signaling and control apparatus is usually fixed to the frame of the machine facing the control console thereof, whichpresents a serious inconvenience. This is because the cabinet of the machine which contains its electric circuits is disposed behind the control console and, as a consequence, at the time of a repair or maintenance operation the person perfonning such operation cannot see simultaneously the circuits and the front panel of housing.

Therefore, such person must either shuttle back and forth between the cabinet and the signaling and control apparatus, or be assisted by a person situated in front of such apparatus who reports the data displayed thereon.

This disadvantage is particularly evident in computers in which the cabinet is approximately perpendicular to the control console and in which the interior of the cabinet is accessible through side doors. In this instance, the cabinet being higher than the console, the signaling and control apparatus usually is attached to the wall of the cabinet which faces the console.

It is the object of the instant invention to remedy this disadvantage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the instant invention, in a machine having a control console positioned in front of the front panel of a cabinet which has two sides panels and contains electric circuits, there is provided a signaling and control apparatus disposed on the front panel above the control console. Such apparatus is characterized in that it comprises a housing structure provided with visual signaling element as well as two hinged type rotatable support means, each mounted toward one comer of the front panel in such a manner that, in addition to a normal position visible from the front, the housing structure can be positioned, by one or the other of two rotations of opposite direction, substantially parallel to either one of the two side panels of the cabinet.

Thus, by rotation around one or the other its two hinges, the front panel of said housing can be brought to at least approximately facing a person viewing the interior of the cabinet.

Preferably, when such apparatus is affixed to the wall of the cabinet overlying to the console, the turning axes are disposed in the vicinity of the extreme opposite vertical edges of such wall in order that the front face of the apparatus after rotation be unobstructed to the maximum extent possible. For this purpose, the housing structure of the apparatus may, in addition, have a width approximating that of the cabinet.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the invention is characterized in that it is mounted on a framework afiixed to the frame of the machine and includes two shutters opening in opposite directions, turning around substantially vertical axes. The housing structure of the apparatus is adapted to slide, in two directions, relative to the shutters when they are closed and forming extensions of each other, until the housing is borne by only one shutter.

Thus, when said housing is in its normal position, for example, it is positioned astride the shutters and they cannot open. Conversely, when the housing has been made to slide until it is borne by only one shutter, it can be pivoted with this shutter around the turning axis of the latter and be given an orientation enabling the person performing repairing or maintenance to easily see the interior of the cabinet and the front panel of the housing. Clearly, in order to be able to open the shutter in the case where the dimension of the housing parallel to its direction of sliding on the shutters is approximately the sum of the corresponding dimensions of the shutters, it is necessary that the distance the housing slides along one of the shutters be at least equal to such dimension of the other shutter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a computer cabinet having an improved signaling and control housing structure in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the housing of FIG. I in the normal position, and its framework;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Ill-III of FIG. 4, illustrating the housing and its framework when the housing has been made to slide onto one of the shutters;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line lV-lV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-Vl of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a partial and exploded perspective view of the framework of the housing; and

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the pivoting of the housing around a vertical axis of the framework which bears it.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The computer shown in FIG. 1 comprises primarily a control console I and a cabinet 2, higher than the former, containing electric elements of the computer. Cabinet 2 is disposed orthogonally to control console I and its interior is accessible through side doors 3 and 4 disposed on each side of cabinet 2.

On a wall 5 of cabinet 2 and facing console I, the housing structure 6 of a signaling and control apparatus is attached by means of a framework 7.

Housing 6, whose width is approximately that of wall 5, is rotatably mounted on framework 7, in a manner to be described hereinafter, by means of vertical hinges 8 (one on each side of housing 6) disposed substantially in the plane of side doors 3 and 4 of cabinet 2.

Thus, when doors 3 and 4 are open, for example for a repair operation, and when housing 6 has been turned around the corresponding one of hinges 8, the interior of cabinet 2 and the front panel of housing 6 can be viewed simultaneously.

This front panel of housing 6 comprises operating switches 9, signal lights 10, and illuminated pushbuttons ll. Pushbuttons ll serve to control the operation of the computer, whereas signal lights 10 permit locating defective circuits in cabinet 2.

The various electric elements of housing 6 are electrically connected to internal elements of cabinet 2 through a large flexible twisted cable 12 (visible in FIG. 6), which passes through an aperture in wall 5 of cabinet 2, and is of sufficient length to permit movement of housing 6.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-8 comprises a parallelepipedic framework 7, of which the width is approximately that of housing 6. Two shutters 13 are mounted on framework 7 for turning on hinges 8, hinges 8 being disposed parallel to each other in the vicinity of the opposite vertical edges of the face 14 of framework 7 facing housing 6. The two shutters 13 are symmetrical and open in opposite directions. Each shutter forms an extension of the other when they are both closed over face 14. Shutters 13 comprise guide rails 15 and 16 on their parallel upper and lower edges for locking the two shutters in their closed position, flexible leafs 17 are attached to the upper part of framework 7. The free ends of leafs 17 are bent in a V shape for engaging the upper edge of shutters 13 (see particularly FIG. 5). In their closed positions, shutters 13 are supported by beveled rests 18, which are held under rails 15 and cooperate, therefore, with flexible leafs 17 for holding closed shutters 13.

Moreover, on guide rails 16 are mounted pivoting'levers 19, each of which is urged by a spring 20 in a manner such that its extremity, formed as a pawl 21, tends to project externally of shutters 13. These pawls 21, whose function will be specified hereinafter, withdraw when shutters 13 are closed by engagement of adjustable stops 22, mounted on framework 7, with levers 19.

Housing 6 is attached to a frame 23, consisting of angle members on which are secured grooved beams 24 and 25 which engage respective rails 15 and 16 in a such manner that frame 23 and, consequently, housing 6 is able to slide relative to shutters 13, parallel to the plane of the latter.

In the normal position, when the two shutters are closed, frame 23 is astride the two shutters l3 and is prevented from sliding by a draw bar 26 slidably mounted on framework 7 and urged forward by a spring 29. The beveled end 27 of draw bar 26 is engaged between two stops 28 attached to frame 23 and defining between them a socket for end 27 (see FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 6).

To release frame 23, draw bar 26 is pushed backward against the action of spring 29 to disengage its end 27 from between stops 28. Then, by virtue of the engagement of rails 15 and 16 in beams 24 and 25, frame 23 is now free to slide, for example to move frame 23 onto the right shutter 13 (see HO. 3). The extent of this movement must, therefore, be at least equal to the length of the rails of the other shutter.

The extent of sliding of frame 23 and of housing 6 relative to shutters 13 is limited in order to prevent frame 23 from leaving the rails, through the cooperation of stops 30, affixed to frame 23 near its center, with stops 31, borne by shutters 13 in the vicinity of their hinges 8.

The shutter 13 bearing frame 23 and housing 6 can then be pivoted around its hinge 8 to bring it into the position shown by F 10. 3 (indicated by dashed lines) and by FIG. 8.

The lever 19 of the open shutter, which is no longer subjected to the action of the corresponding adjustable stop 22, pivots under the action of the respective spring 20 and engages its pawl 21 behind a fixed stop 32 attached to frame 23. Frame 23 has two stops 32, each associated with a lever 19 for engaging the pawl 21 of the latter.

Thus, frame 23 and housing 6 are fixed in a sliding position on the open shutter 13 since they are confined between the stops 31 and 32. They can then be made to pivot around the corresponding hinge 8.

As may be seen from FIGS. 4, 6 and 8, the lateral edges of frame 23 bear clasps 33 with catches which can hook onto studs 34 affixed to the rear parts of framework 7 for capturing the rotation of open shutter 13 and, consequently, pivoted housing 6. In this position, the housing is turned, for example, 90 relative to its normal position.

By performing the same operations in opposite sense, frame 23 and housing 6 can be returned to their initial normal position.

Clearly, the operations will be the same if frame 23 is to be slid onto the other shutter 13.

Thus, the front face of housing 6 can be moved parallel to either of the side panels of cabinet 2 having doors 3 and 4 and thereby remedy the disadvantages of the prior art devices.

Much that has been described in the foregoing and that is represented on the drawing is characteristic of the invention. It is evident that one skilled in the art is able to adduce all modifications of form and of detail using his judgment, without departing from the scope of the invention.

1 claim:

1. An apparatus comprising a cabinet having electric circuits mounted therein, said cabinet having a plurality of panels including a front panel and a pair of side panels disposed on opposite sides of said front panel, said side panels each having access means for providing access to the electric circuits within said cabinet, a signaling and control apparatus comprising a housing structure carrying visual signaling elements coupled to said electric circuits, and mounting means extending between said cabinet and said housing structure for nonnally mounting said signaling and control apparatus in front of said front panel, and said mounting means including hinge means for effecting the movement of said signaling and control apparatus to a position adjacent a a selected one of said side panels with said visual signaling elements facing therefrom for viewing while said electric circuits are accessible through the access means of the selected side panel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes a framework affixed to said cabinet, said hinge means comprises two shutters adapted to open in opposite directions, a hinge secured to said framework mounting each of said shutters for turning around a substantially vertical axis, and slide means mounting said housing structure for sliding movement in a selected one of two opposite directions on said shutters until said housing structure is borne by only a selected one of said shutters.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the dimension of said housing structure parallel to said shutters is substantially equal to the sum of the corresponding dimensions of said shutters, and the distance of sliding of said housing along one of said shutters is substantially equal to said corresponding dimensron.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, together with cooperating latch means on said shutters and said framework for locking each of said shutters in a closed position relative to said framework.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, together with cooperating latch means on said housing structure and at least one of said shutters for locking said housing structure in a normal position aligned relative to said shutters.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, together with cooperating stop means on said housing structure and said shutters for limiting the extent of sliding of said housing structure in the direction towards the respective hinge of each of said shutters.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, together with cooperating retractable pawl and stop means on said housing structure and said shutters for preventing said housing structure from being displaced after it has been made to slide to the maximum position on one of said shutters in the direction towards the hinge of the respective one of said shutters.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said stop means includes a retractable pawl lever on said housing structure and a stop on each of said shutters.

9. The apparatus of claim 2, together with cooperating locking means on said framework and housing structure for locking said housing structure and the corresponding shutter supporting the same in an open position.

10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said slide means includes said shutters each including a rail member having a flange and said housing structure having a frame including two sides each of which carries a grooved beam of length sufl'rcient for the groove thereof to always engage the corresponding flange of said rail member of at least one of said shutters.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, together with adjustable stop means mounted on said framework for retracting said pawl means so long as said shutters have not begun their movement of opening.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein there are locking means for locking said housing structure in a normal position relative to said shutters and stop means limiting the extent of sliding of said housing structure relative to said shutters, said locking means at least in part being carried by said framework.

13. The machine of claim 1 wherein said machine includes a control console positioned in front of said cabinet front panel and connected to said electric circuits, said control console being disposed below said signaling and control apparatus.

14. A signaling and control apparatus for displaying information represented thereon in a plurality of directions, comprising: a housing structure bearing visual signaling elements;

members; said mounting means including means for supporting said members for individual opening movement in opposite directions when solely supporting said housing structure for selectively displaying the visual signaling elements carried by said housing structure in different directions; and means connected to said visual signaling elements for transmitting electrical signals to said visual signaling elements in all positions of said housing structure.

l t k 

1. An apparatus comprising a cabinet having electric circuits mounted therein, said cabinet having a plurality of panels including a front panel and a pair of side panels disposed on opposite sides of said front panel, said side panels each having access means for providing access to the electric circuits within said cabinet, a signaling and control apparatus comprising a housing structure carrying visual signaling elements coupled to said electric circuits, and mounting means extending between said cabinet and said housing structure for normally mounting said signaling and control apparatus in front of said front panel, and said mounting means including hinge means for effecting the movement of said signaling and control apparatus to a position adjacent a a selected one of said side panels with said visual signaling elements facing therefrom for viewing while said electric circuits are accessible through the access means of the selected side panel.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes a framework affixed to said cabinet, said hinge means comprises two shutters adapted to open in opposite directions, a hinge secured to said framework mounting each of said shutters for turning around a substantially vertical axis, and slide means mounting said housing structure for sliding movement in a selected one of two opposite directions on said shutters until said housing structure is borne by only a selected one of said shutters.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the dimension of said housing structure parallel to said shutters is substantially equal to the sum of the corresponding dimensions of said shutters, and the distance of sliding of said housing along one of said shutters is substantially equal to said corresponding dimension.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, together with cooperating latch means on said shutters and said framework for locking each of said shutters in a closed position relative to said framework.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2, together with cooperating latch means on said housing structure and at least one of said shutters for locking said housing structure in a normal position aligned relative to said shutters.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2, together with cooperating stop means on said housing structure and said shutters for limiting the extent of sliding of said housing structure in the direction towards the respective hinge of each of said shutters.
 7. The apparatus of claim 2, together with cooperating retractable pawl and stop means on said housing structure and said shutters for preventing said housing structure from being displaced after it has been made to slide to the maximum position on one of said shutters in the direction towards the hinge of the respective one of said shutters.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said stop means includes a retractable pawl lever on said housing structure and a stop on each of said shutters.
 9. The apparatus of claim 2, together with cooperating locking means on said framework and housing structure for locking said housing structure and the corresponding shutter supporting the Same in an open position.
 10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said slide means includes said shutters each including a rail member having a flange and said housing structure having a frame including two sides each of which carries a grooved beam of length sufficient for the groove thereof to always engage the corresponding flange of said rail member of at least one of said shutters.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7, together with adjustable stop means mounted on said framework for retracting said pawl means so long as said shutters have not begun their movement of opening.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein there are locking means for locking said housing structure in a normal position relative to said shutters and stop means limiting the extent of sliding of said housing structure relative to said shutters, said locking means at least in part being carried by said framework.
 13. The machine of claim 1 wherein said machine includes a control console positioned in front of said cabinet front panel and connected to said electric circuits, said control console being disposed below said signaling and control apparatus.
 14. A signaling and control apparatus for displaying information represented thereon in a plurality of directions, comprising: a housing structure bearing visual signaling elements; a support, a pair of movable rigid members, mounting means mounting said members on said support for movement to a closed position in registration; means disposed between said members and said housing structure for slidably supporting said housing structure on said members in a manner whereby said housing is slidable along both of said members when both of said rigid members are closed in registration with said housing structure being slidable clear of a selected one of said members so as to be supported solely by the other of said members; said mounting means including means for supporting said members for individual opening movement in opposite directions when solely supporting said housing structure for selectively displaying the visual signaling elements carried by said housing structure in different directions; and means connected to said visual signaling elements for transmitting electrical signals to said visual signaling elements in all positions of said housing structure. 